Black Reign (album)
1993 studio album by Queen Latifah
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Black Reign is the third studio album by American rapper Queen Latifah, released in 1993.[4] Black Reign was her most successful album up to that point, peaking at number 60 on the Billboard 200.[5] The album also peaked at number fifteen on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. The album sold in excess of 500,000 copies, achieving gold status.[6]
| Black Reign | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | November 16, 1993 | |||
| Recorded | November 1992 – September 1993 | |||
| Studio | ||||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 55:53 | |||
| Label | Motown[3] | |||
| Producer |
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| Queen Latifah chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Black Reign | ||||
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Critical reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [1] |
| Robert Christgau |  [7] |
| The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [8] |
| NME | 7/10[9] |
| The New Rolling Stone Album Guide | [10] |
| Select |   [11] |
| The Source |  [12] |
| Spin Alternative Record Guide | 7/10[13] |
Trouser Press wrote that Latifah "rhymes over bottom-booming jeep beats and sings to sweet soul, dancehall and, in the case of 'Winki’s Theme,' a song for her late brother, a live jazz quartet."[14] The New York Times wrote: "As one of hip-hop's true vocal virtuosos, Queen Latifah tosses off articulate, quick-changing syncopations when she raps, slipping in and out of a Jamaican accent and singing melodic choruses in a sweet, strong voice."[15]
Influence
The album was a major influence for young adult novelist Jason Reynolds,[16] who was inspired to start writing poetry when he discovered Black Reign at nine years old.[17]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Producer | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Black Hand Side" | S.I.D. | 3:22 |
| 2. | "Listen 2 Me" | Tony Dofat | 4:43 |
| 3. | "I Can't Understand" | Tony Dofat | 3:50 |
| 4. | "Rough... (featuring Treach, Heavy D and KRS-One)" | Tony Dofat | 5:04 |
| 5. | "4 the D.J.'s (Interlude)" | S.I.D. | 1:38 |
| 6. | "Bring the Flavor" | Tony Dofat | 3:25 |
| 7. | "Coochie Bang..." | S.I.D. | 3:46 |
| 8. | "Superstar" | S.I.D. | 3:56 |
| 9. | "No Work" | Kay Gee | 2:51 |
| 10. | "Just a Flow (Interlude)" | S.I.D. | 1:30 |
| 11. | "Just Another Day..." | S.I.D. | 4:29 |
| 12. | "U.N.I.T.Y." | Kay Gee & Mufi | 4:11 |
| 13. | "Weekend Love (featuring Tony Rebel)" | Kay Gee | 4:09 |
| 14. | "Mood Is Right" | S.I.D. | 3:30 |
| 15. | "Winki's Theme" | Queen Latifah | 5:29 |
| Total length: | 55:53 | ||
Music videos
- "U.N.I.T.Y."
- "Just Another Day"
- "Black Hand Side"
- "I Can't Understand"
- "Weekend Love"
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[6] | Gold | 503,000[18] |